Children's Writers eNews
November 10, 2011
"The Write Words to Read"
The Institute of Children's Literature
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com
Editor: Jan Fields
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"I ask new writers: Are you willing to do what it takes, no matter what it takes? This is a sobering question and one that each of us can only answer for ourselves."
- Karen O'Connor from a transcript on balancing writing and family.
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/oconnor.shtml
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
1. News For You
2. New: "Make It A Triple Play"
3. Vintage: Reading and Writing
4. November Workshop: "Destressing the Writing Life" with Kristi Holl 5. Chat Every Tuesday!
6. What's New At Kristi's?
7. Market Help
8. Webtastic Goodies
9. Essay
10.Good News
11.A Note for our users.
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1. The winner of the "Spread the Word" drawing is Amy Senter! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who spread the word about the Children's Writers Poetry Contest.
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2."Make It a Triple Play!" by Christine Collier http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/tripleplay.shtml
You never know when one sale might turn into several -- here's how it worked for one writer.
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3. "Reading and Writing" with Judy Bradbury http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/judybradbury.shtml
As me move toward winter's cozy reading hours, it's good to get another reminder of the importance of being a writer who reads.
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4. November Workshop
November 28-30, 2011 "Destressing the Writing Life" with Kristi Holl in the Writer's Retreat http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php
 
Life is so full of challenges and pressures all by itself so when you stir in the demands of a creative pursuit and the frustrations of the publishing world -- how do you keep the stress to a managable level? Let Kristi help.
 
Kristi Holl has been a published writer for over 30 years. Through a dozen surgeries, raising children, a divorce, numerous moves, and several financial crises, she continued to write. As a writing teacher for 23 years, Ms. Holl used her experiences to encourage and advise hundreds of students, many of whom faced a similar challenge--how to integrate their writing with other aspects of their lives. A series of articles on these issues expanded into weekly writing for two websites. Repeated requests from both writing students and published authors for previously published articles convinced her to assemble 40 of her most popular articles into <i>Writer's First Aid</i> -- and soon we'll be hearing about <i>More Writer's First Aid</i>, just in time for the workshop.
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5. Join us for Live Chat...
Every Tuesday we gather in the chat room to talk writing, selling, marketing, weather and bunnies! Whatever you want to chat with your fellow writers about -- come and have some fun!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific
Every Tuesday come and bring any writing questions you might have...or just hang out with people who share your same dreams.
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6. This Week at Kristi's
Kristi Holl's Writer's First Aid is so good, the Institute has decided to highlight the goodies she has to offer every week -- it's like getting extra special writing advice in every visit.
http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/
 
Friday, Nov. 4: "Work Smarter, Not Harder"
Here are two websites to products I've been using recently that I love. The first one I've used for years, but recently bought the upgrade. The second is my solution to the time-consuming social marketing dilemma. I'd encourage you to check out both sites!
 
Monday, Nov. 7: "Age: Are You Too Old to Write?"
Youth isn't everything--not in physical endeavors, nor mental ones. Certainly not in writing!
Tuesday, Nov. 8: "Free Writing E-books!"
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this month? If so, don't miss out on the free e-book give-away by Writer's Digest from NOVEMBER 6-12 ONLY! There are seven excellent books shown here for immediate download.
 
Wednesday, Nov. 9: "Writing: Your Job or Your Life?"
Is writing a job to you? Or is it your life? If you make writing your LIFE, the challenges are daunting, but the rewards are huge!
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7. ARC POETRY MAGAZINE
http://www.arcpoetry.ca/2006/05/02/submission-guide/
Publishes poetry, reviews of poetry books, articles on poetry/poetry related subjects. Accepts reprints. Uses online submission platform.
Although this is a Canadian magazine, guidelines do NOT specific Canadian authors only.
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8. How to Avoid Parenting Your Characters
http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/how-to-avoid-parenting-your-characters?et_mid=524425&rid=3043112
Changing from a parent's view to a writer's view when crafting a children's story.
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9. A THANKSGIVING FEAST
 
For me November means Thanksgiving. Now, my family traditions mostly involved the consumption of vast quantities of food, but I know some families make lists of things they're thankful for. Does yours? Do you know a list like that can be a great idea brainstorming tool. Make your list and try creating webs for them - just free associating words and ideas based on each thing. Let me get you started with a few of mine:
 
1. Family. Article on building family traditions. Story about a thanksgiving dinner made up of a "family" that one character decided to invent for herself. Historical fiction set at the first "Thanksgiving."
 
2. Work. Writing article on creating your own jobs in a tough writing world. Story about a character's first job.
 
3. Technology. Science Fiction story features books and kids in the future. Article on writing safety - how to keep your writing from being a physical pain in the butt.
 
4. Friends. Story of how bear makes his first friend, by being one. Quiz on which tween TV character has a "friendship" style like yours. Article on the value of a good writing friend.
 
What about you? What are you thankful for? Make a list of what you appreciate in your life -- then see what ideas grow from that.
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10. Good News
 
Maner Nobles: I received my diploma from the Institute of Childrens Literature in October. Just reading it gave me such a sense of accomplishment.  I have a seriousness about my work now that I didn't have before.  I will be a published writer.
 
Anna W: my article about Operation Christmas Child was published in the Powell River Peak, and the Powell River Living magazine!
 
Mandy Spiczka:  I just had my first story ever published by Rainbow Rumpus.  "The Power of Salt" appears in the teen version of their online magazine, called Rainbow Riot.  This story started out as Assignment 2 in the ICL beginning course.  You can read it at:  http://www.rainbowriot.org/teens/power-salt
 
Barbara Bockman: I'm happy to announce that my story, "Michael Finds Lonesome," is in the November issue of Guardian Angel Kids.
 
Lorelei Hill: I am so thrilled to announce my story, The Messenger, came out in Chicken Soup For The Soul, O Canada on Nov 1!
 
Do you have good news? Drop me a line and let me know so I can share it with 8000+ of my closest friends here in the enews. jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com
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